The Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael‘ is a leading think tank and academy on international affairs. Through our analyses, training and public debate we aim to inspire and equip governments, businesses, and civil society in order to contribute to a secure, sustainable and just world. The Institute has three departments: Research, Academy and Corporate Staff. Within the Research Department we are looking for a:
Research Fellow Middle East Research Programme (Conflict Research Unit)
24 - 36 hours per week for 1 year (extendable)
The Conflict Research Unit (CRU) conducts research on the political economy of 21st century conflict and fragility dynamics. By offering insights and innovative approaches as to how to reduce the occurrence, intensity and impact of violence, CRU aims to urge and enable policy makers and practitioners to take informed action against the human suffering caused by violent conflict.
Within CRU, the Middle East research program seeks to develop a better understanding of the extent and nature of political change and reform in the service of national development that are possible under conditions of (semi) authoritarian governance. Given extended protests across the Middle East between 2011-2023 and the demands expressed by millions of its citizens, it is remarkable how little political change has since occurred. Instead, authoritarian ruling elites have largely strengthened their hold on power, blocked or repressed protests at home and abroad, and/or initiated top-down reform and modernization initiatives. At the same time, large parts of the Middle East face mounting socio-economic problems - including poverty, inequality, corruption, energy transitions and climate change - while its new geopolitical equilibrium remains fragile.
The objective of the Middle East research program is to explore answers to three core questions and to feed emergent answers into the design of multilateral, European and Dutch policies, interventions and programs: 1) Why has authoritarian entrenchment been so successful and how does this impact national development possibilities?; 2) What factors influence the supply and demand of reform under conditions of authoritarianism?; 3) How can external actors nudge political renewal and change along in support of processes of national development? These questions need to be addressed in a regional power landscape that remains conflictual in nature (both active and latent). For this reason, regional conflict fault lines and security configurations must also be considered and analyzed.
Job description
CRU is currently looking for a Research Fellow to strengthen its Middle East Programme as of 1 July 2024. The Research Fellow is expected to work on a variety of research tasks, such as analysis of various conflicts and security problems in the region, but will have a specific focus on authoritarian governance, protests and national development challenges in either Iraq in the context of the Levant, or in Saudi Arabia in the context of the Arab countries on the Persian Gulf.
The position requires a pre-existing network of research contacts in either one of these countries, as well as regular travel to the region (2-4 times a year). Both intend to ensure that research work reflects local realities, frames, and problem articulation as well as validating the appropriateness of policy recommendations.
The Research Fellow will work under the guidance of a Senior Research Fellow and be part of the Middle East research group that encompasses five other colleagues. This group represents one of the three geographic research groups within CRU, which have regular exchanges and at times conduct joint research work (the others being the Sahel and the Horn of Africa research groups).
Tasks and responsibilities
Qualifications, experiences and skills
We welcome your application if your profile matches the following requirements:
The work can in principle be undertaken from anywhere, but a location in Europe is preferable and ideally in the Netherlands. In case of a non-Dutch location, the successful candidate will be expected to spend about a month in the Netherlands to onboard with the Institute and to make 2-4 trips per year to The Hague to maintain an adequate connection with both CRU and the wider Clingendael Institute.
Salary
The salary depends on the fit with the qualifications outlined above as the job can be done at different levels of experience. The guideline is scale 9 -11 CAO Rijk based on a 36-hour working week, initially for a period of one year. Scale 9-10 means that the role is initially executed at a more junior level.
Further information
Further information about the position can be obtained from Erwin van Veen, Senior Research Fellow CRU. Further information about the procedure can be obtained from Thera Kosian, Senior HR Advisor.
Interested?
You can apply via the ‘Apply-now button at the top of this vacancy. Deadline for response is 10 May 2024.
For questions about the job, please contact:
For questions about the application procedure, please contact: